26" rims 'on the way out' - ?

[simongt]

Was in Evan's Cycles getting some inner tubes for my 26 x 1.35 Marathon Plus tyres; an odd size apparently and the lad who served me commented that 26" wheels are losing favour to 27.5" and 29" ones and implied that 26" wheels will become increasingly harder to obtain.
I did point out that for MTBs, this is a little odd as a 26" rim is around 25% stronger that a 27" / 700 rim, which he didn't disagree with.
Currently, I would imagine that around 90% of MTBs worldwide have 26" rims. ( ? )

So, what's your take on this wee nugget of info - ?

 

[screenman]

My 26 mtb has not been off the rack this year, my 29er has been the bike I go for most times.

 

[MichaelW2]

27.5 wheels may or may not be marginally faster then 26", or marginally smaller than 29", but they have definately broken a global standard. Bike shop inventory is limitted and there is not even space for a small person's 650c roadbike in most bike shops.
If I was Captain Rimmer for a day, I would eradicate 650c and replace with a narrower 26" mtb, enabling a continuum of tyre size from narrow to fat for all smaller people and heavy use riders, just like 700c ridsrs enjoy.
650b is a very nice size, but not nice enough to feck up the global standard which allows a 26" tourist go purchase a tyre on every continent.

 

[Drago]

If Mr know-it-all at Evans knows so much, then why is he working at Evans?

The majority of non road/cx bikes are 26", and it'll take years, perhaps decades before the number of 27.5 hooped machines in peoples shed out numbers them. That's always assuming another fantastic must have size doesn't come along.

Try buying a 650b tyres in rural China or outer Yokelstan and you'll be finishing your tour on foot. Go shopping for a 26 anywhere and you'll come up trumps, even in the prehistoric backwater that is Halfords.

In my own shed the 26" wheel MTB's outnumber the 650b 2:1, and the ratio of mileage the cover is about the same.

 

[dim]

If Mr know-it-all at Evans knows so much, then why is he working at Evans?

The majority of non road/cx bikes are 26", and it'll take years, perhaps decades before the number of 27.5 hooped machines in peoples shed out numbers them. That's always assuming another fantastic must have size doesn't come along.

Try buying a 650b tyres in rural China or outer Yokelstan and you'll be finishing your tour on foot. Go shopping for a 26 anywhere and you'll come up trumps, even in the prehistoric backwater that is Halfords.

In my own shed the 26" wheel MTB's outnumber the 650b 2:1, and the ratio of mileage the cover is about the same.

 

[MichaelW2]

Try buying a 27.5" commtuter tyre in Halfords, where the latest Carrera Subway urban commuter bike they sell uses...27.5".

 

[Ajax Bay]

what's your take on this wee nugget of info - ?

BS

 

[greekonabike]

I've heard this rumour several times but don't really think it's actually going to happen. There's still going to be a need for a 26" tyres even if less bikes are being made with them. Maybe it's all a conspiracy. We won't be able to get tyres so we'll all have to buy new bikes.

GOAB

 

[Mb49]

Personally I think it will be a long ,long time before you can't get a 26" wheel. As for on the way out, not while there's shops selling cheap bikes. Don't forget if you want to build a new high spec hardtail mtb a 26" wheeled affair is the way to go , you can get wheelsets that would of been like £800-900 perhaps 4years age for like £200-300.a and with those 26" wheels go 2x 10speed gears. cheap ones are 10 a penny so to speak.Good quality 26" wheels are very strong indeed. I've a good quality 26" hardtail sitting in my place , but my 650b shod softtail is about as nimble as the 26" which says how things are going further up the food chain.

 

[Flying Dodo]

You can still buy 27" only tyres, so I doubt 26" will disappear any time in the next 50 years.

 

[DRM]

By which time one of the manufacturers will introduce the new nimble 26" wheel,MTB perfect for tight trails.

 

[tyred]

I have bikes with
20 x 1.75"
20 x 1 3/8"
26 x 1.5"
26 x 2"
26 x 1 1/4"
26 x 1 3/8"
27 x 1 1/8"
27 x 1 1/4"
28 x 1 1/2"
700 x 28c
700 x 32c
700 x 35c
700 x 37c

My LBS would be unlikely to have most of those sizes sitting on the shelf but I can easily source tyres online for any of those sizes online and there shouldn't be any reason why a helpful LBS couldn't get you a set if you didn't want to do online for some reason.

 

[simongt]

My thoughts entirely - 26" rims will see most of us out - !

 

[Kajjal]

You are all wrong we need plus sized tyres, boost hubs, 15 speed cassettes and any other marketing nonsense they can dream up. 26" wheels didn't stop me going up and down a mountain a few times this year but if I am honest I prefer 29".

 

[Andy_R]

I dared to change the wheel size on my subway2 for work...26" to 700c....28mm heresy....me likey!